Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Somaliland Enemies Are Behind Saameel Massacre

This week enemies of Somaliland have plotted an attempt to disturb the security of Somaliland western regions, where three people were murdered in cold blood inside their homes of Saameel town of Baki district in AWDAL Region of Somaliland.

The enemies who infiltrated the country across Somaliland-Ethiopian border were members of armed terrorist groups ONLF, Al-Shabab and Itahad Al-Islamiya. The killing aimed to rekindle to old enmities between the tribes of the area. The tribesmen solved old differences in brotherly manner with the support of Somaliland government, where the Vice President of Somaliland Abdurrahman Saylici was present at the reconciliation meeting. There are traditional links between the tribes of the region, which is located between Gabiley and AWDAL including widespread intermarriage.

After recent Somaliland´s progress in development and foreign policy, the enemies are trying all possible ways to trigger tribal violence in Somaliland, in order to stonewall Somaliland cause of independence by creating instability. The Kulmiye led government has produced some effective results in very short period of time, which attracted the international community including UN Representative for Somaliland and Somalia Mr. Augustina Mahiga who called for diplomatic recognition to Somaliland.

The aforesaid terror groups failed to break through the strong Somaliland security system, because, Somaliland took serious security measures after 2008 terrorist suicide bombing in Hargiesa. However, the terrorist changed their approach and now trying to trigger tribal violence to downgrade the hard-earned stability of Somaliland…. But in my opinion they will fail too.

In Somaliland culture, the tribes fight and misunderstandings end through talks and negotiations. It is uncommon for the Somaliland tribes to kill families or children, where in the current violence at Saameel town, three members of single family having been killed in cold-blood, which seems to imply external forces had a hand in this.

The elected President of Somaliland Mr. Ahmed Siilaanyo issued an immediate order to capture the perpetrators. The Parliament, House of Elders, Cabinet, and Chief Tribes supported the President´s order and soon the criminals will be brought to justice.

This is the time for all Somalilanders (AWDAL to SOOL) to join together because it is a difficult time and enemies are trying to destabilize the country. All parts of the community including tribesmen and chief tribes should cooperate with the security officers to arrest criminals. There is mutual cooperation between Somaliland and Ethiopian Forces and the suspected killers will not be safe even if they cross the border into Ethiopia.